Five students in the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics ran the highly successful hospitality event, Newark Live 2024, held in the Trabant Student Center multipurpose rooms on December 3.
Newark Live is a yearly event run by students in EVENT 465, Event and Meeting Management Practicum. This year’s students who organized and managed the event were Emily Sposato, Cara Korkus, Guy Rettig, Angie Matos and Taylor Case, along with their professor, UD Adjunct Faculty Erin Proud.
During the semester, the students contacted partners, businesses and restaurants in the area to showcase a variety of foods and beverages at booths for guests to enjoy. Partners involved in the event included Klondike Kate’s, Southern Glazers, Bob’s Hot Chicken, M2O, Playa Bowls, and Green Mansion by Marriott, among others.
The event featured a demo from chef instructor Gretchen Sianni in UD’s student-run restaurant Vita Nova, while a chef from Drip Café volunteered to perform a demo as well.
Vita Nova also hosted a wine and cheese tasting, which was sponsored by Trader Joe’s and Southern Glazers.
Entertainment acts included UD’s on campus dance team Destination Dance, a stand-up comedian, a DJ, and a local band, Arkum.
A raffle was also held, with guests winning prizes from businesses including Shake Shack, Drip Café, Main Event, Main Street Movies, Bing’s Bakery, Wawa, and more.
A total of 187 guests including vendors and performers attended the event, which was Christmas themed with tables featuring red linens and candles.